Liquefaction and rectification column



Aug. 1o, 1948. A. J. FAUSEK mL 2,446,534

LzQuEFAcTIoN AND REc'rI'FIATIoN COLUMN Filed sept. 15, 194:5

IGH PE E D /NrERMEo/A Tf .SPEED L0 W SPEED 5 rop @PUDE /V/rnosf b PURA' NITROGA/ Patented Aug. 10, 1948 oFFICE LIQUEFACTION AND RECTIFICATION COLUMN Arthur J. Fausek and Irwing F. Fausek, Clayton, Mo.

Application September 15, 1943, Serial No. 502,447

(Ci. (i2-122) Claims.

This invention relates generally to liquefaction and rectification columns, and more specically to such columns which are adapted for use in separating the constituents of atmosphere and my invention includes pumping means for pumping from the column medium separated and isolated -through operation of the column, the predominant obj ect of the invention being to provide a column o! the type referred to above which includes improved means for automatically regulating and controlling the operation of the pumpf ing means during operation of the column.

Fig. l is a diagrammatical view illustrating the present invention with the electrical portion thereof exaggerated for purposes of illustration.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatical view illustrating certain electrical elements and wiring which constitute parts of the means tion for automatically regulating and controlling the-operation of the pumping means that forms part of the column illustrated in Fig. 1.

In the drawing, wherein is shown diagrame matically for purposes of illustration, merely, one embodiment of the invention, A designates a liquefaction and rectification column which is generally of conventional design. The column A comprises an elongated, vertically disposed housing B into the lower portion of which an air pipe C leads, said air pipe being shown in the drawing as adapted for delivering air under compression to a coil D that is disposed within the lower portion of the housing'B. The column A includes within the housing thereof, a condenser E. having condensing tubes E', and disposed beneath said condenser is an annular receptacle F which receives from said condensing tubes oi the condenser crude nitrogen resulting from operation of said condenser E. The column A includes within the housing B thereof groups of rectiiication traysG, H.' J, and K which' perform a well-known function. Likewise, arranged within the housing of the column A is a plurality of expansion -valves L, M, and N, the expansion valve L being connected by a pipe L to the nitrogen receptacle F, the expansion valve M being connected' by a pipe M' to the bottom of the housing B of the column A, and the expansion valve N being connected by a pipe N to the coil D.

The column A is provided with a pipe 0, shaped as shown in Fig. 1, which communicates at its lower end with the interior of the housing B at the location of the lower portion of the condenser E, and at its upper end with the interior of said housing at the location of the upper portion oi' said condenser. Associated with the pipe O of the present inven-V 2 is a pipe O which is so related to said pipe O as to provide a liquid vtrap that maintains the level of the body of pure oxygen X that surrounds the tubes of the condenser E so that it may not fall below a predetermined level, and connected to said pipe 0' is a suitable electrically operated' pump P which pumps pure oxygen away from the column by way of the pipe P. The column A includes, also, a conductor Q which communicates with the top of the column and conducts pure, gaseous nitrogen away from said column, said conductor Q having associated therewith a by-pass conductor R which leads from the conductor Q to the upper portion of a housing S that encloses the pipes O and O and the pump P, there being a by-pass conductor T leading from the lower portion of said housing S back to the conductor Q. The conductor Q and the by-pass conductor R 'are provided, respectively, with Yvalves Q' and R' which may be operated to cause gaseous nitrogen to flow uninterruptedly through the conductor Q, or to be by-passed through the housing S to pre-cool the pipesO and O' and the pump P.

The present invention includes means for automatically regulating actuation of the pump P. and this means comprises a vertically disposed tube i which is formed of glass or other suitable transparent material. Leading into the bottom of the tube i and communicating with the interior thereof isa conductor 2, said conductor 2 at its opposite end being connected into the space within the housing B of the column A wherein the body X of pure liquid oxygen is contained. Theconductor 2 is provided with an intermediate portion comprising parallel, upwardly extended conductor portions 2a'and 2b connected at their upper ends by a curved conductor portion 2c, said upper, curved conductor. portion 2c being extended slightly above the upper end of the tube i. Additionally, a second conductor 3 is provided which is connected, at one of its ends, into the upper end of the tube i, and at its opposite end, is connected into the housing B of the column at a point slightly above the condenser E, said conductor 3 including a. portion which is disposed slightly above the top of the tube I.

Because the conductor 2 is connected into the space of the interior of the housing B of the column A wherein the body of pure, liquid oxygen X is contained. liquid oxygen will ll thehorizontal part of the conductor 2, located adjacent to the column A, and the vertical portion 2a of said conductorto a level in said vertical conductor portion 2a corresponding to the level of the body A 4 is located in the tube I and in a portion of the conductor 2 which is disposed adjacent to the lower portion of the tube I. and trapped within the conductor 2 between the bodyoi liquid oxygen and the body of liquid 4 is a column of air, this column of air being located in the portion ofthe conductor 2 which is free from horizontal, liquidindicating lines in Fig. l.

From the foregoing it is plain that as the level ot the body X of liquid oxygen within the column A raises or lowers, the level of the liquid oxygen in the vertical, conductor portion 2a will raise and lower correspondingly therein, and as a consequence of such raising and lowering of the liquid oxygen level in the conductor portion 2a the level of the body oi' liquid 4 will raise and lower correspondingly within the tube I, the column of air between the body of liquid oxygen in the conductor portion 2a and the body of liquid 4 serving as means for transmitting upward movement to the liquid within the tube I when the level of the liquid oxygen within the conductor portion 2a raises.

. Associated with the tube I is a plurality. of photo-electrical devices I, 8, 1, and 8, which are spaced vertically with respect to said tube I, yas is shown diagrammatically in Fig. l. In other words,

at one side of the tube I the tu'bes` of the photoelectrical devices are arranged, and at the opposite side of said tube I the light beam-projecting elements of the, respective photo-electrical devices are arranged. As previously stated herein, the tube I is made of transparent material, but the body of liquid 4 therein is so characterized that the light beams of the photo-electrical devices will not pass therethrough, being, for instance, water or other liquid, in which a suitable dye has been incorporated to render it opaque. As a result of this situation ythe presence of a part of the body of liquid 4 between the tube of any one of the photo-electrical devices and its associated light beam-projecting element, will interrupt the light beam, while the absence 4 liquid oxygen X within the housing of the column A, the high speed operation of the pump P will be interrupted and the pump will be operated at intermediate speed, and then at low speed, ii the level of the body of liquid within the tube I drops suiiiciently low to permit the light beam oi the photo-electrical device 1 to pass through the tube I to the tube of said device, the operation oi the pump being stopped entirely if the level oi the body of liquid within the tube I drops sumciently to permit the light beam of the photoelectrical device 8 to pass through the tube I to the tube of said device. In like manner elevation of the level of the body of liquid oxygen X within the housing of the column A from a very low point f will cause the pump P to be ilrst operated at low speed, then at intermediate speed, and ilnally at high speed. Thus, the operation of the pump P is completely controlled at all times during operation of the column A in accordance with the level of the body of liquid oxygen X and in an automatic manner. so that at any and all/times when the pump should be in operation it is operated at the proper speed to provide Vfor the most eilicient operation ofthe column, and so that the pump P is stopped when the level ot the body of liquid oxygen X is so low that the pump should not be operated.

We claim:

l. In an apparatus for separating gas mixtures a liquefaction and rectification column having a housing in which is maintained a body of liquid whose level varies during operation of the column,

said body of liquid 4 of a part of the body of liquid 4 between said tube and its associated light beam-projecting element will permit the light beam to pass through the tube I to the tube of the photo-electrical device.

I The tubes of the photo-electrical devices 5, 6, 1, and 8, are connected by suitable electrical wiring 9- to the mechanism of an electrical relay III, and said mechanism of said electrical relay is connected bY suitable electrical wiring II to the operating means of the pump P (see Fig. 2). The electrical wiring 9 and II in cooperation with the mechanism of the relay I0 provide a separate electrical circuit for the tube of each photo-electrical device which leads to the pump P, and on energization of the circuits associated with the tubes of the photo-electrical devices 5, 6, and 1, by interruption of vthe light beam of said devices,

'the pump will be operated at diilerent speeds,

while energization of the circuit associated with the tube lof the photo-electrical device 8 will, through cooperation of the relay I0, cause operation of the pump to be stopped.`

From the foregoing it is obvious that when the body of liquid 4 within the tube I is at such level therein that the light beam of the uppermost photo-electrical device 5 isv interrupted by said body of. liquid, the pump will be operated at high speed. Likewise, it is plain that as the level of the liquid 4 moves downwardly ln the tube I, 'in response to lowering of the level of the body ot an electrically operated pump connected to said housing for withdrawing liquid from said body of liquid, and means for automatically controlling operation of said pump in accordance with the level of said'body of liquid, said pump-controlling means including a container formed of material through which light may pass, a plurality of spaced photo-electrical. devices associated with said container with the tubes and the light beam projecting elements of said devices disposed at opposite sides of said container, said tubes of said photo-electrical devices being so connected electrically to said pump that now of current through the tubes of different photo-electrical devices will cause the pump to `be operated at diilerent'speeds, means movable longitudinally of said container for interrupting the light beams of the photo-electrical devices, and means for moving the last-mentioned means in accordance with the vertical movement of the level of said liquid within the housing of said column, said means which is movable longitudinally of said container being different in character from that of the body of liquid of said housing.

2. In an apparatus for separating gas mixtures a liquefaction and rectification column having a housing in which is maintained a body of liquid whose level varies during operation-of the column, an electrically operated pump connected to said housing for withdrawing liquid from said body of liquid, and means for automatically controlling operation of said pump in accordance with the level of said body of liquid, said pumpcontrolling means including a container formed of material through which light may pass, a plurality-of spaced photo-electrical devices associated with said container with the tubes and the light beam projecting elements of said devices disposed at opposite sides of said container, said tubes of said photo-electrical devices being so connected electrically to said pump that iiow of current through the tubes of different photo.

electrical devices will cause the pump to be op'- erated at different speeds, means comprising a body of liquid through which the light beams of said photo-electrical devices may not pass and which is movable longitudinally of said container for interrupting the light beams of the photoelectrical devices, and means for moving the lastmentioned means in accordance with the vertical movement ofthe level of said liquid within the housing of said column, said body o! liquid which is movable longitudinally of said container being diiIerent in character from that of the body of liquid ot said housing.

3. In an apparatus for separating gas mixtures a iiquefaction and rectiilcation column having a housing in which is maintained a body of liquid whose level varies during operation of the column, an electrically operated pump connected to said housing for withdrawing liquid from .said body 'of liquid, and means for automatically controlling operation oi' said pump in accordance with the level of said body oi' liquid. said pump-controlling means including a container formed of material through which light may pass, a plurality ot spaced photo-electrical devices associated with said container with the tubes and the light beam projecting elements of said devices disposed at opposite sides of said container, said tubes of said photo-electrical devices being so connected electrically to said pump that flow of current through the tubes of different photo-electrical devices will cause the pump to be operated at diierent speeds and to cause operation oi' said pump to be interrupted, means comprising a body of liquid through which the light beams of said photoelectrical devices may not pass and which is movable longitudinally of said container, and means i'or moving the last-mentioned body of liquid in accordance with vertical movement of the level of said body of liquid within the housing of the column for interrupting the light beams oi the photo-electrical devices, said container and the portion of the housing of the column in which the body of liquid of the column is contained being connected by a conductor in which parts of the body of liquid of the column and the body of liquid of the container are disposed, and a trapped medium interposed between said liquid body parts in said conductor.

4. A liquefaction and rectification column having a housing in which is maintained a body of liquid whose level varies during operation of the column, an electrically operated pump connected to said housing for withdrawing liquid from said body of liquid, and means for automatically controlling operation of said pump in accordance with the level of said body of liquid, said pumpcontrolling means including a container formed of material through which light may pass, a plurality of spaced photo-electrical devices associated with said container with the tubes and the light beam projecting elements of said devices disposed at opposite sides of said container, said tubes oi' said photo-electrical devices being so connected electrically to said pump that flow of current through the tubes of different photo-electrical devices will cause the pump to be operated at different speeds, means comprising a body of liquid through which the light beams of said photoelectrical devices may not pass and which is movable longitudinally of said container, and means for moving the last-mentioned body of liquid in accordance with vertical movement oi the level of said body of liquid within the housing of the column for interrupting the light beams of the photo-electrical devices, said container and the 'portion of the housing oi' the column in which the body of liquid, oi.' the column is contained being connected by a conductor in which parts of the body of liquid of the column and the body of liquid ct the container are disposed, and a trapped body of air interposed between said liquid body parts in said conductor.

l 5. A liquefaction and rectification column having a housing in which is maintained a body 0i liquid oxygen whose level varies during operation o't the column, a pump connected to said housing for withdrawing liquid from said -body oi' liquid oxygen, a conductor communicating with the top of the housing of said column through which gaseous nitrogen passes from the column. a re'- ceptacle surrounding said pump, by-pass conducting means for by-passing gaseous nitrogen from said conductor through said receptacle for pre-cooling said pump, and means for controlling 'operation of said pump.

6. A liquei'action and rectication column having a housing in which is maintained a body oi' I liquid oxygen whose level varies during operation 'of the column, a pump connected'to said housing for withdrawing liquid from said body oi' liquid oxygen, a conductor communicating with the top of the housing of said column through which gaseous nitrogen passes from .the column, a receptacle surrounding said pump, by-pass conducting means for by-passing gaseous nitrogen from said conductor through said receptacle for prec'ooling said pump, and means forco'ntrolling operation ol.' said pump automatically in accordance with the level of said body of liquid oxygen within the housing of the column.

: .7.. A liquefaction and rectification column having a housing in which is maintained a body of liquid oxygen whose level varies during operation of the column, a pump connected to said housing for withdrawing liquid from said body of liquid oxygen, a conductor communicating .with the top of the housing of said column through which gaseous nitrogen passes from the column. a receptaclesurrounding said pump, by-pass conducting means for by-passing gaseous nitrogen from said conductor through said receptacle for pre-cooling said pump, and means including photo-electrical means for controlling operation of said pump automatically in accordance with the level of said body of liquid oxygen within the housing of the column.

8. In an apparatus for separating gas mixtures a liquefaction and rectification column having a housing in which is maintained a body of liquid whose level varies during operation or the column, an electrically operatedpump connected t0 said housing for withdrawing liquid from saidl ciated with said container with the tubes and the light beam projecting elements of said devices disposed atopp'osite sides ot the container, said tubes of said photo-electrical devices being so connected electrically to said pump that flow o! current through the tubes of diierent photoelectrical devices will cause the pump to be operated at different speeds. means comprising a body of liquid through which the light beams oi' said photo-electrical devices may not pass and which is movable longitudinally of said container.

naast a and means for moving the last-mentioned body of liquid in accordance with vertical movement of the level of said body of liquid within the housing of the column for interrupting the light beams of the photo-electrical devices, said container and the portion of the housing of the column in which the body of liquid of the column is contained being connected by a conductor in which parts of the body of liquid of the column and the body of liquid of the container are disposed.

9. In an apparatus for separating gas mixtures. a liquefaction and rectification column having a housing in which is maintained a body of liquid whose level varies during operation of the column, an electrically operated pumpv connected to said housing for withdrawing liquid from said body oi liquid within said housing of said column, and

means for automatically controlling operation of said pump in accordance with the level of said body of liquid within the housing of said column, said controlling means including a container, means movable upwardly and downwardly within said container, means for moving the last-mentioned means in accordance with vertical movement of the level of said liquid within the housing of the column, and electrical means including a plurality of controlling elements adapted to be respectively rendered eii'eotive at diiierent vertical positions of said means within said' container so as to deliver electrical energy to said electrically operated pump for causing said electrically operated pump to be operated at different speeds depending 'on the 1evex of said body of liquid within 'tnenousing of said column, said means which raises and lowers within said container being different in character from that of said body of liquid within the housing or said column.

10. In an apparatus for separating gas mixf tures, a liquefaction and rectification column having a` housing in which is maintained a body o t liquid whose level varies during operation of the column, anl electrically operated pump connected 'to said housing for withdrawing liquid irom\\said `body of liquid within said housing of said column. and means for automatically controlling opera- 4tion of said pump in accordance with the level o! sfaid body of liquid within the housing of said column, said controlling means including a container. a body of liquid movable upwardly and -downwardly within said containel. means for moving said body ci liquid within s aid container in accordance with the vertical movement of the level of said liquid within the housing of the column, andelectrical means including a plurality oi controlling elements adapted to be respectively rendered enective at different vertical positions oi' said body of liquid within said container so as to deliver electrical energy to said electrically operated pump for causing said electrically operated pump to beoperated at diilerent speeds depending on the level ofvsaid body of liquid within the housing or saidcolumn, said body of liquid which raises and lowers .within said container being diierent in character from that of said body oi liquid within the housing of said column. i

' ARTHUR J. FAUSEK. IRWIN@ F. FAUSEK.

. REFERENCES CITED Tne following references lare of record in the ille of tliis patent: A

f UNITED STATES PATENTS Number l' vmanie. yDate 1,394,955 von Recklinghausen -0ct. 25. 19.21: 1,976,398 Eichelman Oct. 9 1934 `v2,091,303 Brelsford Aus. 3l, 1937 2,147,422 Ble'ndzV Feb. i4 1939 amanti Thomson Mar. 12. 194e ,t FOREIGN' PA'I'ENTs Number Country Date 679,343 France Apr. ll, 1930 

